Talking to Your Child about Periods

Talking about personal subjects like periods (menstruation) can make parents and kids feel a little uncomfortable. But kids need reliable information and who better than their parents to provide this! Helping your kids understand their bodies will help them make good decisions about their health.

When Should I Talk to My Kids About Periods?

Talking about periods shouldn’t be one big talk at a particular age. Instead, start the conversation early and slowly build on your child’s understanding. Girls and boys need reliable information about periods. So make sure you talk to your sons too!

For example, if your four-year-old sees a tampon and asks what it’s for, you could say, “Women bleed a little from their vagina every month. It’s called a period. It isn’t because they’re hurt. It’s how the body gets ready for a baby. The tampon catches the blood so it doesn’t stain the underwear.”

Over the years, you can give your child more information as he or she is ready.

If your child doesn’t ask questions about periods, you can bring it up. By the time they’re six or seven years old, most kids can understand the basics of periods. Look for a natural moment to talk about it, such as:

  • when kids ask about puberty or changing bodies
  • if your child asks where babies come from
  • if you’re at the store buying pads or tampons

Ask if your child knows about periods. Then, you can share basic information, such as: As a girl develops into a woman, her body changes so she can have a baby when she grows up. Part of that is getting a place ready for the baby to grow inside the mom. The place a baby grows is called a uterus. Every month the uterus wall gets ready for a baby. If there is no baby, the uterus wall comes off and bleeds a little. The blood comes out of a woman’s vagina. The body makes a new wall every month, just in case a baby is created.

Answer any questions simply and directly.

What Should I Talk About?

What you talk about depends on your child’s age and level of development. Here are some questions that most kids have:

When do most girls get their period?

Most girls get their first period when they’re between 10 and 15 years old. The average age is 12, but every girl’s body has its own schedule.

Although there’s no one right age for a girl to get her period, there are some clues that it will start soon. Typically, a girl gets her period about two years after her breasts start to develop. Another sign is vaginal discharge fluid (sort of like mucus) that a girl might see or feel on her underwear. This discharge usually begins about six months to a year before a girl gets her first period.

What causes a period?

A period happens because of changes in hormones in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ovaries release the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones cause the lining of the uterus (or womb) to build up. The built-up lining is ready for a fertilised egg to attach and start developing. If there is no fertilised egg, the lining breaks down and bleeds. Then the same process happens all over again. It usually takes about a month for the lining to build up, and then break down. That is why most girls and women get their periods around once a month.

Do periods happen regularly when menstruation starts?

For the first few years after a girls starts her period, it may not come regularly. This is normal at first. By about two to three years after her first period, a girl’s periods should be coming around once a month.

Can a girl get pregnant as soon as her period starts?

Yes, a girl can get pregnant as soon as her period starts. A girl even can get pregnant right before her very first period. This is because a girl’s hormones might already be active. The hormones may have led to ovulation (releasing of the egg from the ovary) and the building of the uterine wall. If a girl has sex she can get pregnant, even though she has never had a period.

How long do periods last?

Periods usually last about five days. But a period can last for a shorter or longer duration.

How often does a period happen?

Periods usually happen about once a month. However, some girls get their periods every three weeks. And others only get a period about once every six weeks.

What is PMS?

PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is when a girl has emotional and physical symptoms before or during her period. These symptoms can include moodiness, sadness, anxiety, bloating, and acne. They go away after the first few days of a period.

What if I Have Trouble Talking to My Kids About Periods?

If you don’t feel comfortable talking with your kids about periods, make sure they have another reliable way to get this information. Maybe watching a video or reading a book together would be easier. You also can ask your doctor, nurse, school counselor, or a trusted family member to talk to your child.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Most girls don’t have any problems with their periods. However, call your doctor if your daughter:

  • is 15 and has not started her period
  • started developing breasts more than three years ago and has not started her period
  • is more than two years from her first period and her periods still do not come every 3–6 weeks (especially if she misses three or more periods in a row)
  • has severe cramps, not relieved by painkillers
  • has very heavy bleeding (bleeding that goes through a pad or tampon faster than every two hours)
  • has severe PMS that gets in the way of her everyday activities

Looking Ahead

The more that kids understand about their bodies, the better they’re able to make good, healthy choices. Make sure your children get reliable information from you or another trusted source.

– By –
Dr. Sunita Chaudhari